Rail labor unions claim BNSF's medical reporting policy violates federal laws

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/labor/news/Rail-labor-unions-claim-BNSFs-medical-reporting-policy-violates-federal-laws-BNSF-asserts-policy-is-consistent-with-labor-laws--30387#

3/26/2012

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Division has filed a discrimination charge with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) against BNSF Railway Co. regarding the Class I’s new requirement that workers provide information pertaining to off-duty medical procedures and non-work-related medical issues.

In addition, other rail labor unions have filed similar discrimination charges with the EEOC, and the United Transportation Union (UTU) and Sheet Metal Workers International Association (SMWIA) have asked the commission to investigate the new medical reporting policy.

Since Jan. 1, BNSF has required employees to provide doctor’s notes, diagnostic test results and hospital discharge summaries, according to the UTU and SMWIA. The policy requires all workers to notify the railroad of medical conditions or events that occur or are diagnosed while they are away from work. Employees must report medical events or conditions “even if there is no reasonable basis for believing the condition or event has any impact on the employee's ability to perform his/her job, and even when the employee's own doctor has placed no limitations on the employee's job activities,” BLET officials said in a prepared statement.

BLET officials allege the policy violates the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as well as other federal statutes.

FULL story at link.

[ret5hd]

1. all your medical records are belong to us.